Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

Last Saturday's plan to winterize the chicken run went by the wayside when I realized I was suffering a stroke. Fortunately, while the right side of my body is numb, Hope and I were able to get it accomplished today.

One thing that made enclosing it easier was some old political signs. They are corrugated plastic cardboard sheets that are about 4'x8'. Sure is more substantial than visqueen. I have several pieces left if anyone near me wants to come and get them.

It's numb but you can use it all ok?
That must feel very, very strange and be scary as all get out.
Your perseverance had always inspired me.

I wish I was close enough to come get that, and help you out some if needed....would love to have a full 4x8 sheet of that stuff, it has so many uses!

 

[bigmrg74]

Got home tonight and somebody forgot to make sure the chickies got all locked up. went out and checked on them, everyone is fine. Just going to give her the stinkeye for not yelling at the others to make sure the coop got locked.

 

[SillyChicken]

Life is wonderful and yet we never know what awaits us when a new morning breaks. However, just the fact that we have awoke on this new day is reason enough to be thankful. I'm not sure when I will be fishing again since last Saturday started with the discovery that I had suffered a stroke. I am fortunate that it hasn't affected me mentally but the issues with the right side of my body are going to take some life style modifications.

Today I have a doctor's appointment to check out my left elbow. An elective surgery to remove a benign bursae that would have eventually reabsorbed turned into a two battle. First a MRSA infection that required another surgery followed by a PICC line for 8 weeks of exteme antibiotic therapy. Then when it refused to heal they decided in January that I needed another surgery for ostiomylitis. Again with a 12 weeks round of antibotics and another PICC line.

Then as the 2 year anniversary of the first surgery approached the elbow once again started hurting. I had scheduled doctor appointment to try to find out what was going on. However, before that could occur I suffered a TIA that has left the right side of my body extremely numb. How long this will last only God knows. Typically it resolved in one to two days, but mine hasn't started to abate. I can't help but wonder if this isn't related.

While this is real life changer, the outpouring of concern and support from family and friends only makes me more aware of how rich my life has been. As I always tell people there a no bad days only bad attitudes. While this latest chapter of life isn't what I had envisioned it is one that I will happily face.

Wow Sam! I wondered why you haven't been on much...... Has it really been two years? I would wonder if everything is related as well. . I sure hope you feel better and that you recover quickly.

 

[wannahomestead]

So the family and I are discussing doing a type of chicken share. We'd be raising probably around 50 Cornish X. Anyone raising meat birds have any recommendations for feed? at $15 for 50lb feed from TSC would get real expensive real quick for 50 cornish.

In case anyone is interested in the plan There's 4 or 5 members (including myself) planning to participate in this project. I'll be the one raising the birds since I have the land and (minimal) experience. The others would be helping to pay for the birds and feed, then help when it comes time to send the birds the freezer camp. My initial thinking is that I'll build a couple chicken tractors for them to live in, and rotate them around the property to keep them from completely destroying one area (I only have about an acre). I would be absorbing the cost of the chicken tractors.

I don't make any profit from this, we just get to raise our own food and hopefully have one less expense at the grocery store. We wouldn't begin this until probably april, so I have a good bit of time to nail down details.

 

[LittleLakePhil]

I don't know where you are located but I found up here in Marquette some of the local feed stores actually cheaper than TSC.

 

[aart]

So the family and I are discussing doing a type of chicken share. We'd be raising probably around 50 Cornish X. Anyone raising meat birds have any recommendations for feed? at $15 for 50lb feed from TSC would get real expensive real quick for 50 cornish.

In case anyone is interested in the plan There's 4 or 5 members (including myself) planning to participate in this project. I'll be the one raising the birds since I have the land and (minimal) experience. The others would be helping to pay for the birds and feed, then help when it comes time to send the birds the freezer camp. My initial thinking is that I'll build a couple chicken tractors for them to live in, and rotate them around the property to keep them from completely destroying one area (I only have about an acre). I would be absorbing the cost of the chicken tractors.

I don't make any profit from this, we just get to raise our own food and hopefully have one less expense at the grocery store. We wouldn't begin this until probably april, so I have a good bit of time to nail down details.

Check out the BYC meat bird forum here lots of info there.
You know the birds you raise won't be cheaper than grocery birds?

 

[glambka]

Haven't been on in awhile but stopped by to see how everything is going. Opa stay strong and keep the faith. My husband had a TIA a couple years ago that left him with a drooping eyelid that lasted about 8 weeks. Don't believe the "it only lasts a couple days". Everyone heals at their own rate. I will keep you in my thoughts and pray for a full recovery.
To everyone else: hi all and hope you all are doing great and the birds are hale and healthy!

 

[Folly's place]

It's time for me to move the last of my 2015 cockrels on; anyone looking for Black Copper Marans, from Wynette's birds, I've got two. Also a Speckled Sussex, and two milliefleur Belgian d'Uccles. All nice boys, but too many for my flock. Mary

 

[aart]

Got a years worth of bedding changed out in the coop the other day, set it to compost with a copious amount of water...it's heating up!
Got the old neglected compost piles moved to a garden bed, full of roots that got chopped up and mixed with other stuff.
Buddy came over to help and he did some mowing for me too...so nice to have the camaraderie not to mention the muscle for such tasks.

Got the garlic mulched yesterday....and there's more fall chores to do today on this probably last warm day of the year.
One of the yearlings finished her molt and is laying again after a 6 week hiatus...glad to see they will molt even with supplemental lighting.

 

[ChickenLady2014]

Got a years worth of bedding changed out in the coop the other day, set it to compost with a copious amount of water...it's heating up!
Got the old neglected compost piles moved to a garden bed, full of roots that got chopped up and mixed with other stuff.
Buddy came over to help and he did some mowing for me too...so nice to have the camaraderie not to mention the muscle for such tasks.

Got the garlic mulched yesterday....and there's more fall chores to do today on this probably last warm day of the year.
One of the yearlings finished her molt and is laying again after a 6 week hiatus...glad to see they will molt even with supplemental lighting.

aart I'm glad to hear that, I had a girl last year that never finished her molt was still bald in spots this summer, right up to a predator getting her. I thought it was because I had used artificial light thru the winter. Puts my mind to rest, thank for sharing